Overview
- Driving schools report declines of roughly 50% to 70% in new registrations since the October announcement, with some warning of short-time work and insolvency risk.
- Minister Patrick Schnieder says waiting will not pay off, confirming the reforms must go through the legislative process and would not make licenses immediately cheaper.
- The proposal centers on remote theory, greater use of simulators, and fewer mandatory special drives, which instructor associations argue would add costs and could undermine safety.
- A class B license currently averages about €3,400, with some cases higher, and many learners require extensive practice hours that drive overall expense.
- Separately, the EU-mandated exchange for licenses issued 1999–2001 has just passed its 19 January 2026 deadline, and local offices urge early booking for the 2002–2004 cohort due by 19 January 2027, with fees typically around €26–€33 and standard ID, photo, and current license required.